Ercuis is a prestigious maker of French silverplate, established in the 1860s. 'Lauriers' is an elegant pattern reminiscent of the French Empire style. A thread outlines the handle, and an oval medallion space is created by acanthus leaves punctuating the top, with delicate branches of laurel/bay leaves and berries closing off that space. The pieces are double-struck, and a beautiful MG monogram is placed in the medallion of the reverse side...

Typical of the tension between form and design that evolved in Europe around 1900, the traditional pointed antique form of this cake knife and its sculptural, floral decoration combine in a pleasing silver handle which is complemented by an elegantly simpler gold-washed blade with light engraving. The handle is marked only with a small stamp '800' which doesn't conform to most Continental guarantee marks other than, perhaps, Italy...

Hindostanee, introduced in 1878, epitomized the Romantic movement – the pursuit of the exotic in places such as the Ancient Near East, North Africa, and India. Gorham's interpretation invoked the curving lines and patterns associated with the Indian designs found in woodworking, tile, textiles and metals. This delicacy of line is contained in a stylized mango leaf which follows the form of the handle. The tines are bright-cut on an acid-etched surface...

The Old English form of the 6 sterling spoons is dressed with a lovely and traditional diamond hand-cut and engraved design by highly respected London silversmith Thomas Dealtry who was entered into the goldsmiths' registry in 1765. They are hallmarked for 1802 with the mark Dealtry registered in 1799. The spoons are 5 inches long, and their condition is very, very good. There are no dents or pits, and no bends to the handles, which have an appropriate (and attractive) Gothic 'P' monogram...

This boxed set contains 12 knives (7 in.) and 12 forks (6 in.) in a Chippendale pattern manufactured by Lutz & Weiss of Pforzheim, Germany, introduced sometime in the early 1900s. They are marked with Lutz & Weiss's mark, 800, and the Imperial half-moon and crown. These can be used for fruit, cocktails, cheese, pastry, or many other things. The fitted paper-covered box (which has damage about 2 in. x ¾ in...

Typical of Martin Hall (Sheffield), these 2 berry spoons are very well made, with close attention to detail. They are silver plate, 8 in. long, and date from ca. 1875. The bowls are scalloped; the upper – twisted – half of the handles spring from skeletal figures and are topped with plinths supporting St. Peter. The whole is acid-etched, and both bowls and apostles have light gold-washed finishes...

“Beaded” became a “standard pattern” – that is, there were many makers and versions from ca. 1850 through the coin period. Philadelphia's is distinguished by the inclusion of a fleur de lys at the top and bottom of the handle. This group bears the mark of Philadelphia retailer C. Bard & Son. There is wear to the pattern, more on the forks than the spoons (see enlargements; the first 2 pics are the forks, the next 3 the spoons)...

Beautiful stuffing or basting spoon in the “Louis XIV” pattern first patented in 1847 by John Chandler Moore. It was variously produced by John Polhemus (Polhamus) and Henry Hebbard, all of whom sold through Tiffany prior to Tiffany's own silver production. This must have been an early example because it's not marked “sterling” as most other pieces made for Tiffany were; rather, it is coin. There is a monogram WCA...

“Bead” was perhaps introduced by John Polhemus, but it certainly was made by several others and became a 'standard pattern' in the coin period – a Pointed Antique handle outlined with beads and topped by foliage. Like many of those patterns, it crossed over into plate and was made by many manufacturers. These knives are 7.5 in. long and are are marked for JF Curran & Co. (NY) which survived for only about 10 years, about 1865-1875...

This fork is not marked, but surely silver plate and probably English. The condition is excellent, with no plate missing, no bubbling or flaking, despite its (probably) 100 years. “Prince Albert,” named for Queen Victoria's consort, was introduced before 1850 and became a standard English pattern which proved popular in the United States during the coin period. The bread fork – a Victorian introduction – was meant to be passed with the bread plate. This one is 6.75 in.

The “Dognose” pattern was made in England ca. 1695-1715 during the period when the Britannia, or 95.84%, purity standard was used (1697-1720), and serving as a style that transitions from the trefid to Hanoverian; it was seldom seen after 1720. Typical of the Queen Anne style, the handle of this spoon has an upturned terminal which is characterized by a “wavy end” resembling a dog's nose when viewed from above. Attachment to the oval bowl is by a reeded rattail which has softened t...

Ricco / Ricci Argentieri is a very old Italian silver manufacturer that claims to use 10 times the normal amount of silver in the plating process. The “Bernini” pattern displays light classic elements – volute, acanthus, thread, shell – on the handle, and the serving blade echoes the shape of the handle. This handsome, solid piece is well-finished and has not been used, showing only the scratches that came from storage drawer in the store. It is 10.5 in. long. Please note: This pa...